Sir Geoffrey Henry and Tom Masters have been sworn in as cabinet ministers in Prime Minister Dr Robert Woonton’s new “government of unity.”
The ceremony took place at Queen Representative Sir Frederick Goodwin’s residence at Titikaveka on Tuesday morning.
Sir Geoffrey Henry is now the deputy prime minister, replacing Ngamau Munokoa (Aunty Mau), who resigned on Saturday. He will take over the portfolio responsibilities of former Minister of Finance Tapi Taio, who lost his seat of Akaoa in the August general election.
Those responsibilities include Te Aponga Uira and Energy, the Office of the Minister of Outer Islands Administration (OMIA), the Public Expenditure Review Committee and Audit (PERCA), Bank of the Cook Islands, Revenue Management, the Development Investment Board and National Superannuation.
Tom Masters will take over Aunty Mau’s portfolio which included Transport, Civil Aviation and Shipping, Parliamentary Services, Natural Heritage, the National Research and Development Institute, National Development Council, Attorney General, Crown Law, Airport Authority and Environment.
Prime Minister Dr Robert Woonton said cabinet had deliberated on the best way to progress the country’s economic and social well being.
He had a lot of confidence in the cabinet partnership that had been formed and was sure it would bring peace to the country.
“I am also confident that cabinet and the new government will be able to sustain the economic growth we are now experiencing. It is my sincere hope that the country will be united and work towards peace and prosperity in the Cook Islands.”
Dr Woonton said he was pleased that Sir Geoffrey and Tom Masters had accepted cabinet positions, particularly as former deputy prime minister Ngamau Munokoa (Aunty Mau) had resigned at the weekend.
“It is important that work of government can progress. There was already a vacancy in Cabinet and her resignation allowed me to appoint two ministers in cabinet today.”
The cabinet positions would be left as they were until after New Year, when there would be a portfolio reshuffle, the prime minister added.
Sir Geoffrey said the swearing-in ceremony was a particularly momentous occasion for himself and CIP deputy leader Tom Masters – and for politics in the Cook Islands.
After his experience of working with Dr Woonton in “Coalition IV,” it hadn’t been difficult to reach the decision to form the latest coalition.
Sir Geoffrey pledged that the new government would work together for political, economic and social stability.
"It is our hope that commitments we have made to each other and pledges we have made to move the economy along brings equity around the nation.
“We will be able to bring our critics to understand that we are not just here for ourselves, we are here to work for the country." |
